Hollywood Brings AI Fight to Europe

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Cate Blanchett launched the Human Consent Registry in Brussels, an online tool that lets individuals control how AI companies use their personal identity attributes. This initiative, supported by European lawmakers and industry leaders, aims to enhance transparency and protect personal rights amid the EU’s effort to regulate artificial intelligence.

Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett brought attention to AI and personal rights last week in Brussels with the launch of a new online tool aimed at giving individuals control over how their identity is used by artificial intelligence companies. The Human Consent Registry, introduced at an event held at the European Parliament, enables users to specify permissions regarding the use of their name, image, voice, likeness, movement, and other personal attributes by AI systems. Participants can select from three options: allowing use, allowing use under specific terms, or prohibiting use altogether.

The initiative was introduced by RSL Media, a non-profit organization co-founded by Blanchett that focuses on securing consent in the era of AI technology. Blanchett emphasized the importance of personal identity as intellectual property in the context of artificial intelligence, stating that everyone should have a say in how AI employs their identity.

The launch event featured notable figures from the entertainment industry, including director Steven Soderbergh, and was hosted by European Parliament member Eva Maydell. Maydell praised the registry as a tool that enhances transparency, builds trust, and prioritizes human creativity amid technological advances. She is known for her role as a key negotiator in the development of the European Union’s landmark AI Act, which positions the EU as a global leader in comprehensive AI regulation.

Several other Hollywood creatives were present in Brussels to discuss AI’s impact on storytelling and intellectual property. Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky spoke to a creative audience at the Parliament about his AI-driven studio, Primordial Soup. He highlighted that while AI models can generate striking visuals, they currently lack emotional depth and the essence of humanity, stressing the need to harness AI as a means to enrich narrative storytelling.

Blanchett has previously been an outspoken advocate for protecting creators’ rights in the face of AI advancements. Earlier this year, she joined over 800 actors, directors, and other creatives—including Scarlett Johansson and Guillermo del Toro—in an open letter condemning large AI companies for exploiting artists’ work without consent.

The event reflects growing global discourse on balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations regarding personal data and creative content, as regulators and industry stakeholders navigate the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.

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